Miami Dolphins 2012 Draft Targets: Wide receivers with West Coast Potential

There is, what I feel, a misconception that the Miami Dolphins are stacked at receiver. The Dolphins are NOT stacked at receiver, merely at a decent level of receiver. When you compare the Phins’ receivers to the Giants, Steelers, Packers, Cowboys, Atlanta, Ravens, Miami’s receivers pale in comparison (in Hartline’s case, quite literally lol). The Packers have Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, and Randall Cobbs coming through the ranks. The Cowboys have Miles Austin, Dez Bryant. The Steelers had Antonio Brown, Hines Ward, and Mike Wallace. Atlanta have Jones and Roddy White. The Ravens have Torrey Smith, Lee Evans, and Anquain Boldin. There are a lot of good standard receivers in the upcoming draft that some should be available in the draft at a mid round pick (5th I hope!). It would definitely be worth a look at these in later rounds.

With Miami starting to lean towards a West Coast Offence, these attributes are the most important in a West Coast Receiver.

1. The ability to get open quickly (less than 2 seconds 70% of the time), this is mainly how quickly a player gets off a jam, and how quickly he can square his shoulders towards the qb.
2. To never take a play off. The nature of a West Coast Offense is that because horizontal passes are stressed, every down must be made to count. Receivers must be highly consistent and never make a mistake.
3. The receiver must be able to catch in heavy traffic, very little separation can be gained in 2-3 seconds.
4. Must be highly intelligent to recognise the cover and make the reads and adjustments that the qb is making.
5. Must be able to catch over the middle and take the hits that come with that.
6. YAC is important as throws are usually short.

I know many will ask why there is not Blackmon here, the answer is simple, pass rusher is a bigger need than receiver, and there isn’t a snot’s chance in hell of Blackmon dropping from the first round (although if he fell into the 2nd I take him in an instant!).

Alshon Jeffery

To me, Alshon Jeffery looks like a great second day pickup if he falls that far. The only reason he could fall is because his route running is terrible, and his speed is low. I believe route running can be taught though, and he shows good acceleration off the line which is what you want. When Jeffery does make a cut it is quick, not clean but quick. He has elite hands, making catches anywhere and everywhere no matter who surrounds him. He has a squeaky clean reputation. He is projected by many to fall to a west coast offense, and if for any reason he falls past the 49ers, would be worth a shot in the 2nd round. It should be noted he faced the best competition in the SEC.

Kendall Wright

In my opinion, this guy would be the best (semi-realistic) pickup for Miami out of the receivers in the draft, the guy would make a very good west coast player, and he could drop out of the first round because of his size and his school. He saw very little press coverage but has shown the quickness and agility that great west coast receivers show. His route running needs work, but that is to be expected out of Baylor (no offense meant, but even if they had some kickassery talent this year in key positions, Baylor would still be thought of as a small school. I’m rooting for them to pull out another great year though, love when the underdog kicks ass!). Has shown great intelligence (trusted to be the key man in an option and to throw the ball), fiery determination in playing through injuries, he never takes a play off, and has shown great willingness to take the punishment between the hashmarks. He is also a feisty run blocker. He shows a reasonable ability to catch in traffic but I think that may need work too.

Michael Floyd

Another receiver that would be a great pickup if he fell into the second round. He shows great quickness off the line, spectacular hands, and good route running. His size is ideal, and if Miami could get him, he would be the best player to get out of all these receivers. There is no reason he should fall into the second round. Although his speed is the same as Jeffery’s, his football speed is higher.

The following players are the ‘lower end’, low round but most realistic drafts at wide receiver. I would be very surprised if we landed any of the above players.

Ty Hilton

Very raw player who played for a small school. His route running is unrefined and he is not quick off the line. His hands are very limited. Will require a lot of training and bulking up but he shows excellent quickness and agility and he plays a lot faster than his listed 40 time. Doubles as a returner too. Would be available in the very late rounds.

Joe Adams

This guy is incredibly fast and plays like his 4.39 speed, which is a rarity. He is quick, agile and has great hands, scouts have recorded never seeing him drop a pass, and he catches everything away from his body. His YAC skills are incredible, and his persistence and ability while returning punts is very impressive. He is very raw as he came to college a cornerback, he needs to add bulk and his route running is unrefined, currently one of my favourite sleepers at receiver and he would suit the west coast offense very well. Very possible he is still there in the late rounds if none of last year’s west coast teams don’t pick him up.

Marvin McNutt

A converted qb with great size and hands. He catches very well in traffic and away from his body. A slow receiver but in senior bowl practise he consistently showed the ability to get open quickly and make the catch. Being a former qb shows intelligence. Shows a good ability for route running and sharp cuts but still needs work in this area. Probably available in the mid rounds.

Jeff Fuller

A big target with good hands. Decent route runner but was jammed at the line quite convincingly by the LSU corners. Probably a bust if not taken in the late rounds.

T.J. Graham

Has ‘Ted Ginn’ like pace, wasn’t a big target for his qb, probably available as an undrafted free agent. He’s a sprinter and was very impressive returning kicks. If Ireland is looking for pace he may bring this guy in for camp.

Marvin Jones

Marvin Jones comes from a college west coast offense which is a huge plus. He runs short to intermediate routes very well, he plays faster than his 40 time, has great hands, and has been beating the senior bowl corners deep all week which shows off his vertical ability. Knowing the system well will help a lot and he has good YAC ability.

Hoped you enjoyed the post!